Views of the world from a tiny island

Birds of paradise, for real

After a couple of days of posting fears and complaints about the direction this beautiful country is taking these days, I’d like to provide a link to a small, hopeful glimmer that has to do with people trying to hang on to some of the beauty of the country.

Here is a blog written by a guy who is in the country on behalf of the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvine), one of the rarest birds in the world.

It’s well worth the click. Enjoy.

I should probably mention that this bird lives only on the island of LaDigue, one of the nearby inner granite islands I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, and one that I haven’t visited since 1993. I can see it from the road as I drive to town, but haven’t managed a trip over there in close to 15 years. I did, however, see the illusive Flycatchere when there … a few of them, in fact.

One of these days, we’ll pop over with the kids and call it a vacation!

They are beautiful birds, living in a real paradise. Let’s hope this paradise doesn’t get lost.
And yes, if you live too close, you don’t get to visit some beatiful sites, you don’t get around to it I think, it’s the same here, you know. I was born in Bruges, my family lives there, I love to take photographs, but I have none of Bruges! I really should do something about that too!

La Digue once in 16 years ! You must get there and write a blog on how it’s changed – I was first there in 1996. Just done it twice in 2 weeks in April – on a sailing charter – you ARE missing out! This was our sixth visit in 12 years and was as enjoyable as ever. Seychelles is the land of warm water – cold beer – sunsets – white beaches and greener greens – islands as they are meant to be. What I have seen this trip is a much happier and interactive people than over the past years. It was great to see the shops better / well stocked and new cars on the roads. A country that keeps its beaches and roads clean is an example to behold.